Vapour trailed from a pair of chapped lips as snow crunched under the heavy footfall of two figures. They huddled close as they sought shelter from the bitter winds.

"How about that one?" a man asked. His beard was unkempt and sported an impressive collection of snowflakes. His tattered clothes were bundled about him, and he carried a bulging backpack over his shoulder, one of the straps torn. He gestured to the husk of a bombed out building.

The person beside him, wrapped up so that only her frost-fringed eyes were exposed, shook her head. Her voice was muffled as she spoke through her faded scarf. "Winds from the east."

"So?"

"East wall's too damaged."

he two trudged on. Surrounding them was white desolation; haunting remnants of a city broke up the jagged skyline. A howl of wind whistled through the decrepit structures, causing the man to cover his ears. The woman beside him wrapped her arm about his shoulders. "That's wind. Not them."

He shook his head and broke away at a run, his mismatched boots leaving asymmetrical footprints in the snow. The woman tried to stop him, but he already was out of her reach. "Jad, no!"

Her feet were numb, but she broke into a run after him. "Jad, come back!" The man wailed in agony as he tore through the streets with some difficulty. THe treads of one of his boots were worn flush, reducing traction. Several times she thought he'd go down, but he always managed to scramble back up, indomitable in his terror.

"They're coming! They're coming!" He screamed.

"No one's here!" the woman called out, but her voice was muffled.

Unfortunately, she was gravely mistaken. The man turned a corner and shrieked, reaching a new register. The woman slid and fell to her knees. The woman picked herself up, her knees aching from walking so long in the cold. She froze, not from the chill, but from the terror. There was something dark in the snow in front of her. The pervading night drained all colour from around them, but she feared it may be blood.

Growls and a sickening crunch reached her ears. The woman was torn between fleeing and rushing to her companion's aid. She could not abandon him after everything they'd been through. She approached the corner, bracing herself for what she might see. Holding her breath, she flattened herself against the wall, moved to the edge, and looked.

Jad was limply held up between two men, if one could call them that. Their faces were wrinkled and ridged, their eyes sunken, their cheeks hollow and gaunt. Their skin, exposed to the elements, was white as snow. One had torn off Jad's mitten and was gnawing on his hand, while the other was lapping up blood from a gash in his neck. Jad's eyes were wide with shock, but devoid of life. The woman put her gloved hand to her mouth, holding back a scream. The two monsters looked up in unison, bloodshot eyes staring straight at her. The one who had been devouring Jad's hand threw him at the other. The remaining creature clung tight to his prize, chewing on the man's neck with redoubled enthusiasm.

The hideous man-creature lifted his nose, sniffing like a wolf as he lurched towards the woman. She screamed and turned to run. But as soon as she had spun about, she felt an impact from behind, throwing her forward onto the ground. She screamed again as her knitted cap was whipped off. Her head was yanked back by her hair, sending a burning pain through her neck.

Suddenly, she was released.Her head flung forward and her forehead hit a solid patch of ice. Her vision blurred, and her ears rang. There were confused noises all around her, but all she could focus on was the pain as it reverberated through her skull. The woman managed to pick herself up and crawl a few paces forward, but her hand lost traction. She slipped forward, bringing her face onto the ground again. She stared in a daze as dark spots formed on the ice beneath her. She heard the crunch of footsteps approaching and again she tried to get to her feet.

"No, get away, get away!" she screamed. She twisted around to spot her attacker. The harsh winds blew the clouds away from the gibbous moon, bringing down silvery light on a looming figure. It wasn't either of the ghoulish creatures. In confusion, her eyes darted around. Two crumpled forms lay on either side of the figure. The woman looked up again, bringing her hands up defensively. "Please..."

The figure extended a hand to the woman, and she flinched. There the hand remained. Although gloved, one of the fingers of the glove hung limp. The woman shook and tried to examine the mysterious person. All she could see was the outline of a fur-rimmed hood and a heavy, long coat. Afraid, bereaved, and confused, the woman reached out for the hand. The stranger helped her to her feet.

"Did you...?" the woman asked. The nod was barely perceptible. She looked in terror at the two lumps on the ground. In the pale moonlight, she could see they were desiccated. But beyond her lay the remains of her dear Jad. "Oh... Jad... Oh..." She stumbled past the stranger and fell to her knees beside him, throwing herself over his lifeless form. "Jad..."

The woman felt a hand on her shoulder. She continued to sob, but reached up, taking the hand in her own. "We can't stay here," a quiet voice cautioned.

"I can't leave him!" the woman cried. She then paused, suddenly looking up at her saviour. It suddenly dawned on her that the voice which spoke to her sounded feminine, and young.

"Then stay." The figure shrugged. The stranger extricated her hand from the the grieving traveller. She was dumbstruck at how quickly the stranger dismissed her. She looked again at her dearly departed, but got to her feet, following the stranger before she disappeared into the darkness.

The woman was led through a maze of burnt out structures. Amidst one, there was a hatch which the stranger opened, and bid her follower to enter. Grateful to finally find shelter, she descended. The stranger followed, closing the hatch tight, turning a heavy valve to lock it from within.

"You're back early... who's this?" came an alarmed voice. The woman blinked as her eyes adjusted to the warmly lit interior. The entryway was cramped. There was a heavy brown curtain which stretched across an opening, and lining the walls were hooks and makeshift cubbies for footwear. Peering out from behind the curtain was a man with light brown hair and patchy whiskers.

"Don't know," the stranger responded. She then turned to the woman she had invited in. "Who are you?"

"I..." the woman was stunned. She was numb from the cold, and from the shock. It took her a moment to even think of her own name. "Anna."

Anna watched in bewilderment as the man gave the other woman a questioning look. However, Anna's saviour made no response as she pulled down her hood and removed her hat and scarf. Anna marvelled as the features of her rescuer became clearer. The woman, nay, girl who dispatched those beasts was pale and young. She appeared either in her late teen years, or early twenties, with light brown hair and golden brown eyes. The cold had barely left a flush on her pristine cheeks.

"Alright, Anna," the man said, stepping fully out from behind the curtain and crossing his arms. "Where did you come from?"

Anna shivered as the day's long journey came back into sharp focus. She breathed heavily, trying to come to terms with the emotions that slammed back into her. Seeing her shake, the younger girl was immediately at her side, steadying her by the elbowse. "Thought... I thought we got away from them... them things!"

"I found her being attacked by two abominations," the young heroine explained. "She was with another. He didn't make it."

"My partner, my Jad!" Anna croaked, her voice giving way to raw emotion. Wordlessly, the girl helped Anna out of her wet wrappings.

"So... I guess she's staying, then," the man said, sounding exasperated and defeated.

"Only for one night. Can you see to her? There is something I still need to take care of," the girl said, putting her hat back on. She was halfway up the ladder before the man could protest. He sighed and looked to Anna.

"Right this way, Anna."

Anna stepped into a cosy sight she had not experienced in a long time. The light cast a warm glow over upholstered furniture, shelves stacked with all manner of trinkets and supplies, and an intricately patterned rug thrown over the concrete floor. The finishing touch that brought more tears to Anna's eyes was to see a woman sitting on a faded floral couch, with a child on either side of her, reading from a book. It seemed like something from another world.

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The woman and children curiously looked up at the soggy, middle-aged woman who stepped into their sanctuary. "This is-"

"Anna. We heard," The woman on the couch smiled warmly at Anna, and the children huddled closer. One child appeared around five years old, and the other about eight. Both had light hair, one a bit blonder than the other. "It's not like Rena to bring people back. But, please, accept our hospitality." The woman nodded gracious and gestured to an armchair. The cushion had a deep impression in it, and there were streaks from old runs and scratches in the fabric. As shabby as it was, it was very inviting to the beleaguered woman.

"You must be exhausted," the man said, sighing. "Scoot," he commanded one of the children, who turned and squished himself up closer to the woman. The man sat down. "I suppose introductions are in order. I'm Peter, this is Nel," the woman nodded, lowering her book. "As for these two, this is Maple," he gestured to the older of the two, a girl with plaited hair and a dimpled chin. He then pointed to the light-haired boy who had crawled halfway into Nel's lap, "...and that is Ash."

"Gor, they're a pair of cados," Anna said, putting a hand to her heart. She felt the ache in it even more, seeing the life she never could have lived. And now, never would. She was past her prime, so she'd already given up that dream.

The kids looked at each other in confusion, and then peered warily at the woman. "What's a cado?"

"Dunno. Something me marm'd say. It's good," Anna reassured. By now Anna was starting to feel the numbness drain out of her extremities, replaced by tingling and pain. She grimaced and held up her hands, which were bright red.

"That doesn't look good. Peter, get her a warm drink. Maple, fetch the medicine kit," Nel instructed. Eager to show off her domestic skills, Maple scampered off on her errand. Ash took the opportunity to climb into the spot vacated by Maple, donning a smug smile.

"...Why you all being nice?" Anna asked. Happy families were a foreign concept, and hospitality a stranger. If she hadn't been broken down by her fear and grief, she would never have followed so meekly.

"We don't get many travellers through here." Nel waked over to examine Anna. She gently pressed on the skin around Anna's nose, causing her to wince. "I don't think it's broken." Nel then lifted Anna's hands. "I fear frostbite may set in if we don't take care of those fingers soon. I'll get a bucket of warm water to soak your hands in."

This left the youngest boy, who sat on the couch swinging his legs. He picked up the book his mother had been reading to them, peeked at the pictures, then peered curiously at Anna. "You're old."

"Not so old," Anna responded, unsure whether to be amused or affronted. Mostly she just felt tired.

"Older than Mom and Pop," Ash insisted. Anna sighed and nodded her head. She could not argue that. "Where do you live?"

"Nowhere," Anna responded, a new pang clawing at her heart. She knew the child meant no malice by prying, but it was uncomfortable all the same.

"Would you like to live here?" Ash's eyes brightened with excitement.

"Well..." Anna wasn't sure what to say. She smiled, then her smile quickly vanished. To her relief, Peter returned with a blue mug, which he placed on a small end table beside Anna.

"Give it a moment to cool down. Ash, go to your room," Peter instructed. Ash pouted, but it had no effect on his father who crossed his arms and tapped his foot, his glare of authority coming down heavy on the small child. Grumbling, Ash shuffled off. A woodsy aroma wafted up from the mug, surprising Anna. She peered at the cup, but the mug was too dark to discern anything about the liquid it contained. Seeing her sniffing and eyeing the mug, Peter informed her, "Spruce tea. It's not as bad as it sounds."

"Oh." Anna decided she would let it sit a while longer. Next Maple came back with medical supplies, which she dutifully placed down beside Anna. With a look from her father, she, too, was banished. Maple paused before the curtain, glancing back at Anna, then disappeared.

Peter got straight to the point. "Alright, Anna. Why are you here?"

Anna frowned, her gaze drifted. "Jad and me, that's my partner, had to run. Came from a small, wardless huddle. We ain't got names for ourselves, we just called it home. But raiders found us, took so much. Then the vamps came, finished us off. Don't know anyone but Jad 'n me got out. Been running north because we know we won't make it in the Bleak. And the Bleak's spreading."

Anna's account evidently troubled Peter, as his face darkened and lines formed on his forehead. Partway through her story, Nel had walked in, but she quietly remained at the periphery until Anna had finished speaking. The husband and wife exchanged glances, then looked to Anna. Nel knelt down beside Anna, holding up a bucket. "Put your hands in here."

"How long have you been travelling?" Peter asked as he opened the medical kit, pulling out some cotton. He moistened it and handed it to Nel, who began dabbing at the blood on Anna's face. Anna placed her hands in the water. It was pleasantly warm, but her hands felt as though they were expanding and shrinking at the same time, and stung ferociously.

"Oh... pffft..." Anna spat as some of the cotton got too close to her lips. "Maybe three days."

"Hmmm you've got a cut up in your hairline, too... but there isn't too much swelling so hopefully nothing is fractured," Nel remarked as she ran her fingers gently along Anna's scalp.

"Three days. And how far was the Bleak from your home?" Peter asked as he prepared some gauze.

"Day south? Maybe." Anna responded after thinking for a while. "Didn't go south much." Peter looked increasingly more grim, and Nel dispirited.

"I thought the thaw would finally be coming. It's been so long since I've seen Spring," Nel said wistfully as she dressed Anna's wounds to the best of her ability.

"I ain't ever seen the Bleak til last few years. Just heard folk talk," Anna admitted. Again Peter and Nel gave each other meaningful looks. "You?"

Peter shook his head, but Nel went quiet, a haunted look cast over her eyes. "My parents lived further south. We fled north from the Bleak when I was a little girl."

"Oh. Musta been scary, being little." Nel looked Anna over again, searching for anything else that needed tending.

"We'll set you up a spot for the night, Anna. But I'm afraid you will have to be on your way again in the morning. There's a fort to the east that we trade with sometimes called Wupop. If you can work, they will take you in." Peter put everything neatly in its place in the kit, snapping it shut.

"I work," Anna said with an eager nod. Nel lifted Anna's hands out of the water, inspecting them carefully.

"The freeze has not set in too bad; everything is looking good." Nel smiled warmly at Anna, still holding her hands. "We are sorry for your loss, Anna." A lump rising in Anna's throat choked out any thanks she could offer, and instead she lowered her head, embarrassed. Nel patted her on the shoulder and rose to her feet. "I'll get some sheets."

There was a heavy scraping sound, followed by a woosh of air that disturbed the curtains near the entryway. Nel had been adding some bedding to the couch when she heard the sound, and glanced up expectantly. Sure enough, the sound of someone descending the ladder could be heard. Clank. Clank. Clank.

"Everything alright, Rena?" Nel asked. There was a sound of fabric swishing, and the plop of soggy, heavy clothes hitting the ground.

"Yes." Rena, as the girl was called, walked into the room, carrying Jad's bag, and dropped it on the floor. Anna's eyes widened and she put a mottled hand to her chest.

"You went back for it!" Anna said, touched. Seeing Rena now without her overcoat made it harder to believe that she had bested the two vamps by herself. Anna was about to say something when she suddenly went quiet, a chorus of howls heard even through the thick concrete above.

"Don't worry. That's just the patrol. They won't hurt us," Nel said with a smile as she fluffed up a pillow.

"Oh." Anna said, but she didn't look any less fretful. If anything, she appeared more confused. Rena walked across the room, pulling an ottoman that was neatly tucked away out and sitting on it.

"I buried Jad. It was too dangerous to leave him out there," Rena informed Anna. Anna's countenance drooped. She felt a lack of closure at not being part of his burial. But she understood. She took in a shaky breath.

"There, all ready for you when you get tired," Nel said, standing up. Anna smiled and stiffly walked on sore joints over to the makeshift bed, easing herself down on it.

"Thank you... Rena?" Anna looked over at the girl, for the first time noticing she was missing a finger on her right hand. Rena tilted her head to Anna, her expression distant. Anna felt a chill as Rena stared right through her. This caused Anna to fumble and mumble out an apology, although she was not sure what for. Rena immediately looked away, half lidded eyes dropping their gaze to the floor.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Rena got up and disappeared further into the curtain-cordoned bunker. Anna frowned and looked at Nel, who had been tidying up. "What'd I do?"

"Nothing. Rena is just... shy," Nel said after a furtive pause. She picked up the empty mug, and stared down at it a moment.

"Really? Brave and shy," Anna said, as if she could not reconcile the two statements. Nel laughed lightly.

"She's in her element with monsters. Not so much with people, at least, outsiders," Nel remarked, staring at the curtain.

"She your sister?"

"No."

"Oh." Conversation was not Anna's strong suit. She then looked back at Nel. "You all talk strange."

"Do we?" Nel asked, seeming a bit surprised. "It's normal where we're from."

"Oh."

The silence that followed gave Nel the chance to finally bring the empty mug into the kitchen and finish her evening clean-up. Anna curled up under the quilt, resting her head on the pillow. These people were friendly, but very strange. They weren't pockmarked and weathered like the people from her old home. And they didn't expect payment for shelter. Or did they? She worried under what terms they extended their hospitality, but she had nowhere else to go. And now, she was truly alone.